Howard B. Leavitt Painting Exhibit

Amherst – On Thursday, October 10, 2013 from 4-5 pm, Applewood
will hold an opening reception of the paintings of Amherst resident
Howard B. Leavitt. The opening is free and open to the public at
Applewood, One Spencer Drive, Amherst.

Howard did not start painting until the age of fifty because
when he was in the fourth grade, he received a grade of C in art class.
The teacher was trying to communicate with a ten year old that he had
no artistic talent and therefore a waste of time to take up painting.
For many years, he took her advice.

Over
the years he became greatly interested in attending art shows and
admiring other people’s art work. At age fifty, he met a professor of
art at Penn State University who claimed that since he was interested in
viewing art, she could draw out some heretofore dormant talent. With
some skepticism he signed up for her adult painting class. Bless this
woman! Had it not been for her, he would not have paintings to be on
display now.

Her technique was to encourage frequent halts in the process of
painting and asking oneself “Am I completely satisfied with what I have
done?” If not, stop and seek the advice of a teacher or fellow
student. Then proceed but not before being entirely satisfied with the
previously accomplished work. Howard had several teachers in the
following years including the famed, Barbara Johnson.

In the late seventies, Maggie Smith, senior citizen and Amherst,
Massachusetts artist, organized and started teaching an art class for
Amherst seniors at the Amherst senior center. This Thursday morning
class attracted a dozen or more seniors from the area.

In the late nineties Maggie retired and soon thereafter passed
away. No replacement was found and the class started to disassemble.
However, at the last minute six of Maggie’s students, including Peter
Ivy, Applewood Artist in Residence in 2011, agreed to continue the class
as a workshop without a teacher. They would teach one another by
providing tactful advice, when asked. The idea worked and the workshop,
varying in number from 6 – 10, continued its mutual instruction style
through 2011.

For More Information please contact: Carol Constant, Director of Community Engagement, 413-532-5325

About The Loomis Communities:

The Loomis Communities has been a visionary in exceptional senior living throughout the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. It was the first
organization in the state to open a continuing care retirement community.

With a mission of enriching the lives of older adults, The Loomis Communities offers independent living apartments and cottages, assisted living and skilled
nursing care on three campuses in the Pioneer Valley: Applewood in Amherst, Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing in Springfield,
and Loomis Village in South Hadley.

Independent Living Homes and Apartments

What is independent living?

When referring to retirement communities, independent living describes a house or apartment home in an age-restricted community
setting designed for older adults who are able to manage their homes and daily activities without supervision or medical assistance. Independent living
can be offered as an apartment in a stand-alone building, or as part of a larger community with a wide range of services, including access to a continuum
of health care should you need those services in the future.

Our independent living apartments, villas, and cottages set the standard for distinctive retirement living. Residents enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle
in a spacious, thoughtfully designed homes. Comfort and peace of mind are the focus of our independent living homes, with features such as a private
balcony or patio, lovely views, a well-equipped kitchen, generous closets and storage, and many other amenities.

A wide selection of independent living apartments and homes is available at all of The Loomis Communities. Whichever of our communities you choose, you’ll find
neighbors who become friends, and plenty of space for your treasured possessions. The Loomis Communities offers everything you need to create a healthy, happy,
active retirement.

Assisted Living

What is assisted living?

Assisted living offers a middle ground between independent living and nursing care. Assisted living is a good choice for you if you do
not require the extensive medical care provided in nursing care but are not able to manage living on your own. Staff is available to provide 24-hour
comprehensive assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing, grooming, eating, mobility and hygiene. A variety of activities and
social events, as well as transportation, cleaning, and laundry services, also are typical features of assisted living. The Loomis Communities provides
assisted living as part of a comprehensive continuum of care, while many organizations only provide one level of assistance.

Our assisted living features private apartments that residents furnish with their own personal treasures, providing all the comforts of home. Our studio
and one-bedroom apartments provide a place where residents who need a little help with the activities of daily living (ADLs) can truly enjoy life.
Caregivers are available to help residents with activities such as dressing, bathing, grooming, and medication management. The intimate residential
design of assisted living allows our staff to get to know and understand the needs and desires of residents and their families.

What do all these terms mean: home care, skilled nursing care, licensed skilled care, and long-term care?

Nursing homes are licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and offer furnished rooms and health services to residents who require
consistent and ongoing medical care with physician oversight but do not require hospitalization. This is called skilled nursing care.
Our communities provide skilled nursing care, which includes post-hospital care, short-term rehabilitation, complex medical care, and long-term care.
Oversight is provided by licensed professional nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians. A comprehensive therapy department is staffed by physical
therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists. The Loomis Communities nursing homes are designed to meet the individual needs
of the residents.

Rehabilitation

What is rehabilitation, skilled rehabilitation, or short-term rehabilitation?

The Loomis Communities offers rehabilitation services in partnership with Genesis Rehab Services. Our combined staff of professionals
such as physical and occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, registered dieticians, registered nurses, licensed social workers, and
gourmet chefs, work as a team to get you back home. We complete a comprehensive assessment to develop individualized care plans to manage residents’
physical, social, and emotional concerns.

Our unique approach promotes independence and a rapid return home after rehabilitation from a broad range of surgical procedures, injuries, and illness.

Our nursing center, Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing is Medicare and Medicaid-certified, and provides short-term rehabilitation
and long-term care in well-appointed private or semi-private rooms. Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing received a 5-year
accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in Person-Centered Long-term Care. This mark of
excellence means that we have been recognized as a provider of quality care for your loved one that meets state-of-the-art, international standards of
performance.

To learn more about rehabilitation at the Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing nursing center, please contact: